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Asiana Best Chinese

Bakery

1. City Bakery Cafe 88 Charlotte St., Asheville, 254-4289 and 60 Biltmore Ave., Asheville, 252-4426 City Bakery offers Asheville a veritable world's fair of bread, lining their shelves with challah on Fridays and stollen at Christmas. But it's the everyday loaves that catapulted the bakery into the Hall of Fame and prompted countless local eateries to serve their sandwiches on City Bakery sourdough.
2. West End Bakery & Cafe 757 Haywood Road, Asheville, 252-9378
3. Short Street Cakes 225 Haywood Road, Asheville, 505-4822

Barbecue

1. 12 Bones Smokehouse 5 Riverside Drive, Asheville, 253-4499 and 3578 Sweeten Creek Road, Arden, 687-1395 12 Bones Smokehouse, while not usually lumped with such high-cotton spots as the Biltmore Estate and the Grove Park Inn, shares with those other Asheville institutions the distinction of having been visited by a president: Barack Obama proved he knew as much about pork as policy with his campaign stop at the River Arts District eatery, where even the salad is larded with 'cue.
2. Luella's Barbecue 501 Merrimon Ave., Asheville, 505-RIBS
3. ED Boudreaux's Bayou Bar-B-Que 48 Biltmore Ave., Asheville, 253-5812

Breakfast/brunch

1. Sunny Point 626 Haywood Road, Asheville, 252-0055 In a few short years, Sunny Point has evolved from a funky neighborhood hangout to a highly respected breakfast, lunch and dinner destination.
2. Early Girl Eatery 8 Wall St., Asheville, 259-9292
3. Over Easy Cafe 32 Broadway, Asheville, 236-3533

Burger

1. Burgermeister 697 Haywood Road, Asheville, 225-2920 The burgers are gosh darn good -— especially when topped with horseradish and banana peppers for the ever-popular DT preparation — but Burgermeisters rightly belongs in the diner category: The restaurant's personable staff, late hours and spot-on food to close a night spent drinking are almost as endearing as the juicy beef patties. Almost.
2. Five Guys Burgers & Fries 1838 Hendersonville Road, Asheville, 277-3894
3. Fuddruckers 130 Charlotte St., Asheville, 254-2161

Burrito

1. Mamacita's 77A Biltmore Ave., Asheville, 255-8080 Mamacita’s practices the "build your own burrito" model, so you can have yours just the way you like it. And the housemade pico de gallo, freshly chopped tomatoes and just-sliced jalapeños behind the glass at this consistently delicious downtown taqueria keep us coming back.
2. Urban Burrito 640 Merrimon Ave., Asheville, 251-1921 and 129 Bleachery Blvd., Asheville, 298-9802
3. Lucky Otter 630 Haywood Road, Asheville, 253-9595
3. Papa's & Beer 1000 Brevard Road, Asheville, 665-9070; 17 Tunnel Road, Asheville, 255-2204; and 1821 Asheville Highway, Hendersonville, 692-9915

Caterer

1. Laurey's Catering 67 Biltmore Ave., Asheville, 252-1500 Does it count as a culinary irony that Laurey Masterton, the local restaurateur who arguably does the most of any area chef to reduce food miles, is being lauded for her mobile-food operation? Maybe. But irony takes a backseat to the sumptuous pimento-cheese spread and cumin-shrimp skewers that are synonymous with elegance at upscale Asheville affairs.
2. 28806 Catering 109 Broadway, Asheville, 252-5664
3. Red Radish 404 E. State St., Black Mountain, 669-5100

Cheap lunch

1. Mamacita's 77A Biltmore Ave., Asheville, 255-8080 See description under "Best Burrito."
2. Doc Chey's Noodle House 37 Biltmore Ave., Asheville, 252-8220
3. Loretta's 27 Patton Ave., Asheville, 253-3747

Chinese

1. Asiana Grand Buffet 153 Smokey Park Highway, Asheville, 667-0410 and 1968 Hendersonville Road, Asheville, 654-8879 The listing for Chinese restaurants in the Asheville phone book is short, even by Southern standards. Still, the overall Chinese resto acreage is probably on par with major Northern cities, thanks to the Goliath that is Asiana Grand Buffet, local diners' top choice for egg rolls, General Tso's and white sauce.
2. Doc Chey's Noodle House 37 Biltmore Ave., Asheville, 252-8220
3. China Palace 4 S. Tunnel Road, Asheville, 298-7098 and 1378 Hendersonville Road, Asheville, 277-0108

Diner/home-style

1. Moose Cafe 570 Brevard Road, Asheville, 255-0920 Moose Cafe may be new to the Xpress Hall of Fame, but that's about all that's novel at this proudly timeless comfort-food institution where the biscuits are fluffy, fried chicken is crispy and portions are reliably large.
2. Early Girl Eatery 8 Wall St., Asheville, 259-9292
3. Tupelo Honey Cafe 12 College St., Asheville, 255-4863

Favorite restaurant

1. Mela Indian Restaurant 70 N. Lexington Ave., Asheville, 225-8880 If you need evidence that local residents are infatuated with Asian cuisine, it's right here. Of course, Mela doesn't just rest on its ethnic laurels: It serves mighty good curries, spicy vindaloos and lovely naan.
2. Tupelo Honey Cafe 12 College St., Asheville, 255-4863
3. The Admiral 400 Haywood Road, Asheville, 252-2541
3. Papa's and Beer 1000 Brevard Road, Asheville, 665-9070; 17 Tunnel Road, Asheville, 255-2204; and 1821 Asheville Highway, Hendersonville, 692-9915

Fine dining

1. Rezaz Mediterranean Cuisine 28 Hendersonville Road, Asheville, 277-1510 Rezaz surely belongs in the fine-dining category by virtue of its serious wine list, but the Biltmore Village favorite doesn't suffer from the stuffiness that plagues so many highfalutin special-occasion spots. Its Med-leaning menu is dashed with a welcome quirkiness and experimental spirit.
2. Table 48 College St., Asheville, 254-8980
3. Savoy 641 Merrimon Ave., Asheville, 253-1077

Greek

1. Apollo Flame Bistro 485 Hendersonville Road, Asheville, 274-3582 and 1025 Brevard Road, Asheville, 665-0080 If Asheville really wants to ward off a corporate-franchise invasion, it needs more independently owned eateries like the bustling Apollo Flame, celebrated for its family-friendly atmosphere and prices: $6.95 buys you a dinner entrée, salad and bread.
2. Three Brothers Restaurant 183 Haywood St., Asheville, 253-4971
3. Pomodoros Greek & Italian 1070 Tunnel Road, Asheville, 299-3032

Ice cream

1. Ultimate Ice Cream Company 1070 Tunnel Road, Asheville, 296-1234 Ultimate's plain vanilla is at the upper end of the decadent scale, which vaults its ice creams made with local beer and bacon into the self-indulgence stratosphere. It's worth noting that third-place finisher Two Spoons serves nothing but Ultimate Ice Cream, so Ultimate’s high-quality product shows up here twice.
2. Marble Slab Creamery 14 Biltmore Ave., Asheville, 225-5579 and 1840 Hendersonville Road, Asheville, 277-0575
2. Hop Ice Cream Shop 640 Merrimon Ave., Asheville, 254-2224
3. Two Spoons Ice Cream 721 Haywood Road, Asheville, 252-5155

Indian

1. Mela Indian Restaurant 70 N. Lexington Ave., Asheville, 225-8880 See description under "Favorite Restaurant."
2. India Garden 156 S. Tunnel Road, Asheville, 298-5001
3. Flying Frog Cafe 1 Battery Park Ave., Asheville, 254-9411

Italian

1. Nona Mia Italian Kitchen 807 Patton Ave., Asheville, 505-2029 Nona Mia's deep-dish nails the classically Italian ethos that calls for simple dishes made with fresh ingredients, served in a setting infused with love.
2. Pomodoros Greek & Italian 1070 Tunnel Road, Asheville, 299-3032
3. Carrabba's Italian Grill 10 Buckstone Place, Asheville, 281-2300 and 332 Rockwood Road, Arden, 654-8411

Japanese

1. Wasabi 19 Broadway, Asheville, 225-2551 Wasabi, one of three eateries owned by the Chen family, has Xpress readers agreeing that super-fresh ingredients and street-front seating make the downtown venue the crab in their California roll, the fry in their tempura and the wasabi in their soy.
2. Heiwa Shokudo 87 N. Lexington Ave., Asheville, 254-7761
2. Green Tea 2 Regent Park Blvd., Asheville, 252-8300
3. Ichiban Japanese Restaurant 2 Hendersonville Road, Asheville, 252-7885

Late-night munchies

1. Rosetta's Kitchen 111 Broadway or 116 N. Lexington Ave., Asheville, 232-0738 For the tourists who come to gawk at Asheville's drum circles and gape at its dreadlocked denizens, Rosetta's menu is proof that the town is unredeemably weird — in the right way. "Peanut butter tofu? Nutritional yeast gravy? I'd never eat that," they might chirp. If so, their loss. Thanks to Rosetta's, Asheville diners can, and do — until 3 a.m.
2. 51 Grill 51 Merrimon Ave., Asheville, 258-1670
3. Taco Bell Various locations (http://www.tacobell.com)

Latin American/Mexican

1. Papa's & Beer 1000 Brevard Road, Asheville, 665-9070; 17 Tunnel Road, Asheville, 255-2204; and 1821 Asheville Highway, Hendersonville, 692-9915 If priests heard culinary confessions, they'd probably soon tire of hearing about Papa's & Beer, the exquisitely good Cali-Mex eatery that locals can't stop patronizing. Even the most disciplined diners have gone on Papa's & Beer benders, returning night after night to partake of the restaurant's house-made salsas, plump grilled shrimp and rich tortas.
2. Tomato Cocina Latina 1455 Patton Ave., Asheville, 254-5046
3. Salsa Mexican Caribbean Food 6 Patton Ave., Asheville, 252-9805

Outdoor dining

1. Mellow Mushroom 50 Broadway, Asheville, 236-9800 Mellow Mushroom offers quintessential al fresco dining, designed to be leisurely and situated in prime people-watching territory.
2. Carmel's Restaurant & Bar 1 Page Ave., Asheville, 252-8730
3. Sunny Point 626 Haywood Road, Asheville, 252-0055

Pizza

1. Asheville Pizza & Brewing Company 675 Merrimon Ave., Asheville, 254-1281 and 77 Coxe Ave., Asheville, 255-4077 To be fair to the other Best of WNC winners, there's no such thing as a sewn-up category in this survey. But there are a few highly competitive categories, of which pizza leads the pack in the Eats section. Asheville Pizza & Brewing Company edges out the also-runs with its delectable pies, garnished with such seemingly improbable toppings as pesto, portabellas and gorgonzola cheese.
2. Marco's Pizzeria 946 Merrimon Ave., Asheville, 285-0709 and 1854 Hendersonville Road, 277-0004
3. Mellow Mushroom 50 Broadway, Asheville, 236-9800
3. Circle in the Square 640 Merrimon Ave., Asheville, 254-5442

Restaurant still needed in Asheville

1. Ethiopian So it's been a bad year to be opening a new restaurant, which means we're not really blaming anyone for the continued lack of an Ethiopian eatery, Vietnamese café or Jewish-style deli, all three of which finished first, second and third respectively in last year's "Restaurant Still Needed" category. But if you happen to be a banker, and if someone happens to mention injera to you, please, please, please make that loan. Thank you.
2. Vietnamese
3. Jewish-style deli

Seafood

1. The Lobster Trap 35 Patton Ave., Asheville, 350-0505 What's better than a tray of freshly shucked oysters, salty steamed clams and a fat lobster just pulled from the ocean? A pint of beer with which to wash it all down, which is why the Trap this year rolled out its Oyster House Brewing operation, crafting beers that complete the seafood experience.
2. Bonefish Grill 105 River Hills Road, Asheville, 298-6530
3. Red Lobster Various locations (http://www.redlobster.com)

Server

1. Kathy Taylor at Usual Suspects Years of steady, professional service have won Taylor many a regular and many a fan. And not only did she win this category — Taylor also got the nod as Best Bartender.
2. Evan Smith at Nova
3. Janae Zoeller at Scully's Signature Dine and Drink

Sub shop/deli/sandwiches

1. Jersey Mike's Subs Various locations (http://www.jerseymikes.com) Jersey Mike's is the only full-fledged franchise that snuck onto the gold-medal platform this year, suggesting even Xpress readers have a soft spot for corporate-issued good bread and high-quality cold cuts.
2. Two Guys Olde Style Hoagies 132 Charlotte St., Asheville, 254-9955
3. Subway Various locations (http://www.subway.com)

Sweets/chocolate

1. French Broad Chocolate Lounge 10 S. Lexington Ave., Asheville, 252-4181 French Broad Chocolate Lounge owners Dan and Jael Rattigan have astutely localized something as seemingly exotic as chocolate, hand-making delicately delicious truffles spiked with WNC-grown berries and locally roasted coffee. And for non-truffle fans, the shop's display case is always stocked with salted caramels, macaroons and intensely flavored chocolate-nib brownies.
2. Chocolate Fetish 36 Haywood St., Asheville, 258-2353
3. Kilwin's Chocolates Ice Cream 26 Battery Park Ave., Asheville, 252-2639; 116 W. State St., Black Mountain, 669-6119; and 506 N. Main St., Hendersonville, 698-9794

Thai

1. Thai Basil 1 Page Ave., Suite 151, Asheville, 258-0036 and 227 W. State St., Black Mountain, 664-4322 Thai Basil’s Grove Arcade location means diners can savor the scenery along with the satays.
2. Noi's Thai Kitchen 535 Merrimon Ave., Asheville, 251-1960
3. Doc Chey's Noodle House 37 Biltmore Ave., Asheville, 252-8220

Vegetarian

1. Laughing Seed Cafe 40 Wall St., Asheville, 252-3445 If a restaurant is consistently voted the best vegetarian eatery in a town named the nation's best vegetarian small city by GoVeg.com, does that make it the best vegetarian restaurant in the country? Judging by the taste of Laughing Seed's classic tofu barbecue roll-ups and Harmony Bowl, probably so.
2. Rosetta's Kitchen 111 Broadway or 116 N. Lexington Ave., Asheville, 232-0738
3. Early Girl Eatery 8 Wall St., Asheville, 259-9292